Browsing: Keir Starmer

Starmer guts welfare reform to avert defeat in Commons | Wednesday’s newspapers
Wednesday’s newspaper front pages lead with the prime minister’s further concessions on his controversial welfare reforms. The late changes came ahead of the House of Commons vote to avoid an embarrassing defeat. The bill passed by 335 votes to 260.

The UK heatwave and Wimbledon find space on the front pages as tennis stars sizzled in the record-breaking temperatures.

The sports papers look ahead to this summer’s Women’s Euros as the Lionesses prepare to defend their crown.

Wednesday’s UK news continues to be dominated by the government’s welfare bill after ministers made last-minute concessions to avoid a possible defeat.

The bill passed by 335 votes to 260 – but 49 Labour MPs still voted against the government, while 18 others abstained.

The headlines react to the news that yesterday was the UK’s hottest day of the year so far as Britain battles a second heatwave of the summer. St James’s Park in London saw England’s hottest temperature reach 34.7C. Temperatures are set to cool down across the UK on Wednesday.

Cliff Notes Sir Keir Starmer’s welfare bill, despite facing a significant rebellion from 49 Labour MPs, passed its first hurdle in the Commons with a…

Rebel Labour MPs received a last-minute concession concerning the welfare bill, ensuring changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) eligibility will only follow the completion of the Timms review, due in autumn 2026.

Labour MP Rachael Maskell criticises the government’s welfare reforms as “Dickensian,” urging colleagues to oppose a bill she believes fails to protect the poor.

The government has performed a U-turn on welfare reforms after pressure from 126 Labour backbenchers, who signed an amendment to stall the bill.

Despite its U-turn on its controversial welfare reforms last week, the prime minister will still face a test to his leadership when MPs vote today on his welfare reform bill.

The PM has been forced into a humiliating backdown on his controversial welfare reform, days after already making huge concessions. The PM’s bill passed in the Commons yesterday, but still saw 49 Labour MPs voting against it and 18 others abstaining.

It’s been a terrible time for the prime minister as of late, with him desperately needing to regain control of his party.

(Thursday, 3 July 2025) – The death of Liverpool FC player Diogo Jota dominates UK and global headlines. The Premier League, the FA and Liverpool are amongst those offering condolences after he died aged 28 in a car accident in Spain.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s tearful appearance at PMQs on Wednesday sparked concerns, with many seeing her tears as a sign she was about to lose her job. It caused market panic. No. 10 has since said it was a personal matter. PMQs came after Labour got their welfare bill passed, after making huge concessions. It’s been the story that’s dominated much of the news this week.

The Glastonbury row and the UK heatwave dominated much of the news at the beginning of the week.

The long-awaited UK-US trade deal officially came into force, reducing tariffs on UK exports to the US and strengthening transatlantic economic ties.

A new report from disability charity Scope has revealed that the additional cost of living with a disability in the UK has surged by almost 12% since 2020.

Wes Streeting expressed confidence that the government will secure a crucial vote on welfare cuts following significant concessions by Sir Keir Starmer aimed at quelling dissent within the Labour Party.

In a piece in The Sunday Times, Sir Keir said he was occupied with the G7 and NATO summits and the escalating tensions in the Middle East for much of the past two weeks.

Can he not multitask? after all he’s just agreeing to pay more on a racketeering gig!

Two men aged 22 and 24 from London were arrested on Saturday in connection with vandalism at RAF Brize Norton, suspected of terrorism offences under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury marked the largest crowd in their career, amidst political controversy over their inclusion in the festival line-up.

Cliff Notes – Fixing welfare a ‘moral imperative’ Sir Keir Starmer emphasised that reforming the UK’s welfare system is a “moral imperative”, following a government…

Cliff Notes Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will address concerns over a potential coalition between Conservatives, Reform UK, and Plaid Cymru before next May’s Senedd…

Cliff Notes The government conceded significant reforms to welfare, protecting existing claimants of Personal Independence Payments and the health aspect of Universal Credit, following pressure…

Cliff Notes Sir Keir Starmer’s welfare bill changes include concessions like exempting existing PIP claimants, following rebellion from 127 Labour MPs concerned about poverty risks.…

The Friday newspaper front pages won’t be an easy read for the prime minister this morning, as they react to his U-turn on his highly controversial welfare cuts.

Many of the papers had gone to print before the watered-down bill was confirmed. They acknowledge that the prime minister offered the more than 120 Labour rebels ‘concessions’ but did not know the details.

Beyond welfare cuts, the rest of the papers are made up of a mix of different headlines from ongoing coverage of the US bombing of Iran to the UK and France agreeing on a migrant returns deal.

Labour rebels win as Starmer backs down over benefit cuts – UK second heatwave this weekend – Pound hits four-year high | What Happened Today
Friday’s headlines are dominated by the embarrassing U-turn from the prime minister over benefit cuts. More than 120 Labour MPs were mounting a rebellion over Starmer’s heavy cuts to welfare, which the government’s assessment said could end up pushing 250,000 people into poverty, including children. The PM’s desire to slash the ballooning welfare bill is a bid to save around £5bn a year. But it had caused massive upset as the most vulnerable were facing losing key benefits, including disabled people.

The government confirmed the climbdown will mean those currently receiving PIP or the health elements of Universal Credit will continue to do so, and instead, the planned cuts will only hit future claimants.

The vote will proceed as planned on Tuesday in the Commons and is expected to pass.

Amber health alerts have been issued for parts of England as temperatures are set to rise above 30C, in the second UK heatwave in June this year – don’t forget your sunscreen!

Elsewhere, the news that the pound briefly hit its highest level against the dollar for almost four years after markets were unnerved by a report that Trump could bring forward the naming of a new head of the US central bank.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has offered major concessions to over 120 Labour MPs who threatened to oppose key parts of the welfare reform bill.

The Prime Minister has faced a significant backlash from 127 MPs, leading to a climbdown on proposed cuts to disability benefits and a need to rebuild trust within his party.

Thursday’s headlines continue their coverage of the prime minister’s defiance over the upcoming benefits cuts bill. The PM says he’ll push ahead with the vote, expected next Tuesday, despite the mounting rebellion, which could seriously damage his premiership. There have been reports that the prime minister has told Labour MPs that if they vote down the bill, they won’t be considered for promotion. Other reports suggest No. 10 is drafting a watered-down bill to appease the critics.

The UK has seen a surge in Chinese imports as businesses seek to avoid the 55% tariff slapped on them by the United States. Economists say it could help the UK ease inflation, but domestic industries warn of being undercut by cheap goods.

A 37-year-old man, who brutally murdered a boy on his walk to school last year, has been found guilty of murder and three counts of attempted murder. Marcus Monzo went on a rampage in North London last year, killing 14-year-old schoolboy Daniel Anjorin with a samurai sword and injuring three others. The judge says he would face a life term when he returns to court for sentencing on Friday.

In happier news, the UK is set for its second heatwave of the month, with temperatures hitting 30C this weekend, just in time for Glastonbury! If you’re heading out and about this weekend, don’t forget your sunblock and shades!!

Over 120 Labour MPs, including select committee chairs and former loyalists, have rebelled against the government’s welfare reform bill, expressing deep concern that proposed cuts.